How Gross are Mardi Gras Beads?

Name: Nora J Rayl

Subject: Math

Grade Level: 7th

Standards: Ratios & proportional relationships; solve real life problems with algebraic expressions and
equations; 7.RP.1; 7.RP.2c; 7.RP.3 ; 7.EE.3

Outcomes/Objectives:
• The student will use ratio and proportion equations to find the cost of a gross of Mardi Gras beads to find
the best price.
• Student groups will explain how to find the price for a gross of beads by writing directions on how to
solve a proportion and the share their findings out to the group.

Materials: Calculators; comparison shopping sheets (reg & adptd); Links to approved stores on GClassroom;
computers for researching (Printed sheets can be provided for those not allowed online access-red notebook)

Procedures:
Engage
1. Teacher with Mardi Gras beads asks, What is a dozen? (12)
2. What is a gross? (various non-math answers)
3. What is a gross in the context of math? (dozen,dozen) How much is a gross [dozen, dozen]? (144)
Explore
4. How would we find out how much a gross of beads costs? (use proportions to find price for 144)
5. How do we write a proportion? ( )
6. How do we solve a proportion? (example problem)
7. Which of two choices would give us a better deal? (the one with the lower gross price)
Explain
8. What did you do to find out which was the better price? (cross multiply and solve equation)
9. What would you do if one sold by the dozen and on sold by 30 dozen? (use two proportional equations
and compare)
Expand
10. Partners shop through Mardi Gras stores for beads. {student handout}
11. You must find at least two dealers for each type of bead and comparison shop at least 6 different styles.
12. Use proportions to find the cost of a gross of each bead.
13. Record your findings in your table.
Evaluate
14. Students will submit completed tables with written explanation for review.
15. Partner groups will share with the class how they found the gross prices for one of their types of beads.
Extend
16. Students use their overall results to decide which company is the best to buy from if they could only
choose one as partners, or pair with another set of students to have more data points.
17. Students are given a set budget and develop an order for beads they would choose, considering price
and variety and explain their choices.
References
www.paradethrows.com www.toomeys-mardigras.com www.mardigrasoutlet.com
www.mardigraszone.com www.mardigrasbeadsonline.com www.mardigrasimports.com
www.beadsbythedozen.com
Standards for Mathematical Practice with Guiding Questions